A-LEVEL students across Huddersfield are anxiously waiting for their results, which they get this week.

But it's not just the thousands of students who may be feeling nervous. Parents, too, may be starting to feel worried about how they are going to cope financially when their children leave for university.

Research carried out by the NatWest bank has revealed that, on average, the cost of a three-year degree course was £23,787.

This figure takes into account the cost of rent, food, books, beer and cigarettes, as well as tuition fees of £1,125 a year.

Students are also leaving university with average debts of £12,180 - just over £4,000 more than during 2003.

Rob Hammond the vice-president and education and welfare officer at Huddersfield University's Students' Union, said: "These new statistics come as no surprise to me.

"Tuition fees have already resulted in total student debt of over £14bn."

Sixth-formers who plan to start university in September expect to graduate with debts of £13,000, £3,800 more than last year's school-leavers.

Interestingly, despite the increasing cost of further educational living, only one in three undergraduates have a part-time job.

"Among those who do work, three-quarters said they did not think they would be able to afford university and tuition fees without the extra income," said Mr Hammond

Nearly half the students who do have a part-time job admitted they sometimes skipped lectures to turn up for work.

Almost a quarter of those said they had even considered dropping out of their studies to take up their part-time job full-time.

Ann-Marie Blake, head of student and graduate banking at NatWest, said: "Although the thought of graduating with debt can seem daunting, university education gives you a great footing for your career.

"More and more employers are specifying a degree-level qualification before they will even consider a candidate for a role."

The NatWest research also showed that a third of students think it will take them more than 10 years to clear their debts.

And the research showed that only four out of 10 graduates said they had gained a good career and were independent from their parents.

Students worried about their financial situation can get help.

Huddersfield University's Students' Union offers help and advice to any students facing financial difficulties.